Announcements for Sunday, Apr 27, 2025
INSIDE: Preschool Springfest & Silent Auction • New-Member Social
Springfest, on Sun, Apr. 27, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert, there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!
Join us for Worship!
Sunday, Apr. 27
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Apr. 30:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Newsletter Assembly
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Tuesday, Apr. 29, at 10am, to assemble the May newsletter. See you there!
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.
Lutheran World Relief Support for Myanmar
Your gift to Lutheran World Relief can deliver urgently needed support and care to neighbors affected by earthquakes. Go to Iwr.org/myanmar to donate.
First Teen Clothes Closet Inventory Needs
Clean, new or gently used teen styled clothing in these sizes only:
3x and 4x hoodies
Wallets
Teen Guys:
Dress and casual shirts (XS, small, 2xl, 3xl & 4xl)
2xl casual shorts
Teen Ladies:
Casual shorts (size 14, 16, 18, 20+)
Tank tops (1x, 2x, 3x, 4x)
Dress pants (size 9/10)
Shirts and tops (4x)
Donations may be placed in the baskets in the entry way.
Faith Web Ideas for April
Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this April: worship together during Holy Week! Even more ideas & caring conversation questions can be found in the handout at the Faith Webs table and to download at 1stlu.org/webs.
Friends of the Warming Center
The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: May 1, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.
New-Member Social
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, May 1, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
High School Camp Prep @ Sugar Creek
On Saturday, May 3, high schoolers be heading to Sugar Creek to help get the camp ready for the summer! This is a great opportunity to give back and contribute to making the camp a wonderful place for all the kids who will be attending this summer. Leaving the church at 8am, returning around 8pm. RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
More Events @ Sugar Creek
Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit sugarcreekbiblecamp.org or call 608.734.3113.
May 3 – Volunteer Work Weekend
May 16-18 – NEW: Adult Horse Retreat
Estate Planning Dinner
Sunday, May 4, 11:30am. With a focus on thoughtful estate planning and giving, local experts will lead us in conversation on how each of us can make informed decisions that will bless our loved-ones and our church. Dinner included. RSVP to office@firstlu.org. Sponsored by the First Lutheran Foundation.
Blessing Graduates
First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship on Wednesday, May 7, and Sunday, May 11. Join us on those days for a special blessing to celebrate this milestone. Graduates will receive more details about this service in the coming days. Also for seniors… please share a senior picture with us for our grad board in the narthex! We are happy to display a wallet size (preferable) or the next size up. Simply drop off a picture in the office during the week or on a Sunday morning.
Spring Nosh with Neighbors
First Lutheran and Onalaska United Methodist Church are hosting a lunch for the city of Onalaska employees on Thursday, May 8. We would like to thank our city hall workers, police officers and fire department for keeping the city of Onalaska safe and running smoothly. Donations should be brought to First Lutheran by 10am on Thursday, May 8, and day-of volunteers should arrive at First Lutheran Church by 10:45am. Show appreciation to our city workers and signup to donate and serve at 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.
Jazz Worship with Jon Ailabouni
Be sure to join us for special worship services of jazz liturgy, led by Jon Ailabouni. Two services coming up: Wednesday, May 14 at 6:15pm, and Sunday, May 18 at One Worship at 9:15am.
Parents’ Night Out
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, May 16, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)
Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm
Followed by dinner and activities till 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2025 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and mission trips. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Commissioning Peer Ministers
Our Peer Ministers from 2025 will be blessed at the May 18 One Worship service at 9:30pm. We want to celebrate all of their hard work this past year to become better ministers to their peers.
One Worship, Sunday May 18
There will be only one service on Sunday, May 18, at 9:30am, followed by a potluck and celebration of Sunday School, Confirmation and Faith Webs.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran helps with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 150-200 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. NEXT: May 19. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
📚 Exciting News from the Church Bookstore! 📚
We're introducing a rotating selection of new books to inspire and deepen your faith! Each season, we'll feature fresh titles covering a variety of topics, from spiritual growth and parenting, to Christian living, building blocks and current hot topics. Stop by regularly to explore new reads and find the perfect book to enrich your faith journey. Have a suggestion for a book to include? Email Carolyn at carolyn.wodele@gmail.com.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Sugar Creek Bible Camp offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school and high school – and adults and families! The camp is located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ and have fun at Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 14, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office at 608.783.3326 by Sunday, June 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Synod Night Out at the Loggers
Save the date! Sunday, June 15, 5pm for a night of baseball fun at Loggers Field on Copeland Ave. Learn more and get tickets at 1stlu.org/next.
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.
Sunday School
Sunday, Apr. 27
Sunday School
Sunday, May 4
Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
4K Faith Building Block: The Keys
Throughout the year, each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.
Sunday, Apr. 27: parents/guardians only
Sundays, May 4 & 11: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, May 18: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class
Wednesday:
6:15pm worship
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
